Adjustable sick-bed cuspidor.



N0. 829,059. PATBNTBD AUG. 21', 1906. W. B. CAMPBELL.

ADJUSTABLE SICK BBD GUsPIDoR.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.10, 1904.

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N0. 829,059. PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906. W. B` GAMIJBELL.

ADJUSTABLE SICK BBD CUSPIDOR. APPLIoATzoN FILED oo'r.1o. 1904.

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l NVEN 701e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2l,` 1906.

Application filed October 10,1904. Serial No 227,905.

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Be it known that I, VViLLARD BYRON CAMP- BELL, ya citizen of the United States, residing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new #and useful Improvements in Adjustable SicklBed Cuspidors; and I do hereby declare the *following to be a full, clear, and exact dei -sorifpton of the invention, such as will enable I OA i -tains tomake anduse the same.

the connections and joints of the tubular `supporting-standard such as to permit easy Arpatients vothers skilled in the art to which it apper- Thisinvention is designed for use by in- Vlids, either in hospitals or private homes, as well as by dentists patients and other dis- -abled persons who are confined to beds or yohairsandunable to readily avail themselves lofthe-ordinary cuspidors.

The device, as illustrated herein, consists principally of a cuspidor or spittoon adjustvably supported by tubular connections from abase or stand having a receptacle for holding the patients discharges, though I am not limited to this location of the receiver for the discharges, the base merely affording a convvenient inclosure for the same.

The principal objects of the invention are yLto provide for practically universal and ready i ladjustment of the cuspidor, so that it can be easily arranged by the patient himself in 4most-convenient position for use; to render adjustment and extension, yet stiff enough to support the cuspidor in any position without -need of fastenings or props, and also practically Water-ti ht so as to prevent leakage or emission of saiiva at the joints, and to insure cleanliness and sanitation by draining off the expectorations and discharges, shutting off or trapping the collected disl charges from the cuspidor, and also avoiding drawings and thereafter defined in the claims @following the description.

Figure l is a rear elevation of the device shown in perfectly upright position. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the hinged pipe-joints, showing the adjacent pipe-sections in alinement. Fig. 4 is a similar view of said joint, showing one pipe-section turned at an angle and in such position as to shut off communica-tion between the two pipe-sections. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device, shown with its tubular supporting-stan'dard adjusted at an angular position and holdinfy the cuspidor'not directly over the base. *ig 6 isa central vertical section of the device in this same position. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail, comprising a cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 5 lookin in the direction of the arrow and parts be und said line in elevation. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of one of the hinged pipejoints with part broken away and part in section. Fig. 9 is a detail top plan view of a ring for holding the base. Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of the connections between said ring and base, showing these parts disconnected.

Referring to the drawings, ay denotes the base of the device, which is a hollow receptacle, in this instance deine-shaped, with a comparatively large bottom to furnish a stable support. Rising from this base-receptacle is the tubular supporting-standard b, comprising a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes or pipe-sections, with suitablyinterposed joints to permit angular adjustnient. This standard carries at its u per end the cuspidor or spittoon c, from w lich the patients expectorations and discharges are conducted through the tubular standard tothe base-receptacle or into a vessel or reservoir d, placed therein or into whatever receiver the conduit may discharge.

The base-receptacle av may be constructed to serve itself as the reservoir for accumulated discharges from the cuspidor c; but for this purpose there is preferably provided a separate removable holder or reservoir d, which may be an ordinary cuspidor or any Suitable vessel. The base may be formed with an open bottom to permit lifting the whole apparatus above the vessel d, or, if preferred, it may have a closed bottom and a removable door or plate, as at c. In' the present illustration in addition to the removable plate e the base has an open bottom and IOO rests on internal lugs f in a supporting-ring j, which has external lugs to receive screws g for fastening it to the floor. (See Figs. 9 and 1U.) The bottom of the base has lugs a', which when the base is set into its ring fall into suitably-disposed notches f 2 thereof, and then on turning the base its said lugs a! pass into slots f, extending from said notches, while spring-lifted catehesf* rise up and lock the lugs a" in place. ln Fig. 10 the catchf* is shown depressed, as it would be when the lug a" is let down into the notch f2. Said catches f4 are provided with knobs f5 to depress them when it is desired to disconnect and lift the base out of its ring. One springcatch may be preferable for allowing convenient. detachment of the dome by a single individual.

In use by a bedside the device is set as closely to the bed as possible, usually with the lower part of the standard b beside the bed-rail and with the rear half of the base and its fastening-screws under the bed out of the way. To further insure rigidity and stability of the device, any suitable wire, clamp, or

fastening may be used for holding the stand-l ard b firmly to the bed-rail, wherefore the lowest section of said standard is shown provided with a hook h for enga ement by the wire or other device employe for that purpose, serving also as a handle. The standard b, as aforesaid, comprises a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes or pipe-sections with suitably-interposed joints to permit angular adjustment, preferably two of such joints, as indicated by the letter lin the drawings, one between the upper part of the standard and the cus idor c, the other medially disposed and dividinUr the standard into two parts or sections, of which the upper one is angularly adjustable with respect to the lower vertical section. In the present ,illustration the said lower section comprises three telescopically-arranged tubes j', the outer one of which is shown having its ower end iitted in a short tube or neck i in the top of the basereceptacle, while the said upper section comprises two of such telescopically-arranged tubes c. The invention is, however, not confined to any articular number of tubes either for the stan ard as a whole or for either section. The tubes are closely itted one within another7 so as to permit adjustment and yet remain in any extended or ad'usted position. It will be noted that each telesco ic tube is arranged within the next lower tu e, so that the fluid discharged from the cuspidor will flow past the inner joints and cannot ooze between the interiitting portions of the tubes.

By virtue of this arrangement, especially of the three lower tubes j, there is also provided a large range for extension of the standard, while yet the upper section, with its cuspidor c, can be lowered to a proper degree for low beds or for use of a person sitting or reclining in a chair. The lowering or collapsing of the tubes may be limited by suitable beads or collars formed on their upper ends, as shown, to insure against accidentally pushing a tube down out of reach.

An important feature of this invention resides in the joints Z, which constitute stiff hinges or elbow-joints permitting angular adjustments of the upper section and cuspidor, while preventing escape or oozing out of iuid at such joints. As both joints are substantially similar, a detailed description of the lower one or that connectin the two sections of the tubular standard wil suffice.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper end oi" the uppermost pipe j is rigidly jointed to a transverse cylinder or casing m at a bottom opening thereoi",and thelower end of the adjacent tube k is inserted clear through and atlixed rigidly in a similarly-disposed cylinder ni, which is iitted tight within the outer cylinder or T m, but is. susceptible of being turned therein, thus providing trunnions for the upper section of the standard, said outer cylinder `m having a peripheral cross-slot, as indicated at o, to accommodate said tube k when the upper section of the standard is tilted. Preferably the contiguous ends of said tubes and l; are of like size and are flush with the interior of casing or cylinder m, so that said ends contact and exactly register when the tubes are in alinement. The tubes will also register to a lesser extent when the up er section of the standard is slightly tilte but when said u per section is tilted at a greater angle not far om the vertical the lower end of the tube 7c is moved opposite the interior of the casing m, and thus communication is entirely shut oil between the upper and lower sections of the conduit. Since the upper joint between the cuspidor c and u per section of the standard is similar, it is o )vious that either joint may serve as a traA to shut ofi and coniine the discharges an vapors in the base-receptacle or its inclosed vessel d by tilting the cuspidor with respect to the upper section or by ad- -usting the upper section with respect to the lower section. In Figs. 5 and 6 both joints are shown in such position as to act as traps. With reference to the upper joint particu.- larly it may be mentioned that the cuspidor c may be either mdunted on a tube inserted through the inner cylinder n of that joint or its bottom may be formed with a tubular extension p, inserted through said cylinder, to communicate with the uppermost tube k, as shown. It will be understood that all modifications-such as a reversal of the relations of the parts fm and n or formation of the inner cylinder n with closed ends and withthe tube 7c or p not inserted clear through,but merely protruding thereinto, or any departure from IOO IIO

the mechanical nicety herein set forth-are embraced within the scope of this invention, though the resent construction is referred for its excel ence and efiiciency. Wlith these joints Z it is unnecessary to close the ends of the cylinders m and `n; but the ends of the outer cylinders m are nevertheless shown provided with removable caps q, which enhance the ornamental appearance of the apparatus and also serve as supports for spring- )ressed studs or catches r, which catches enter t irough a hole in the end of the outer cylinder m and engage one of a series of apertures er perforations in the inner cylinder n, Fig. 8, for the purpose of absolutely insuring the maintenance of the tubing in any position to which it may be adjusted. The catch r may be raised by the fingers to disengage the apertures or perforations in the inner cylinder yn when it is desired to adjust the tubing angularly. As before stated, the joints are stifl enough to hold the cuspidor in different positions of their own accord, owing to the tight fit of the trunnions n in the bearings fm; but it may be desirable to employ some suitable catches, such as r, to render this effect absolute at all times, as in the case of wear of the joints, and to further increase the eflici'ency of the apparatus. A similar catch s is shown for locking the two tubes k of the upper section in fixed relation, said catch being entered through a shoulder or projection on the lower one of said tubes and engaging any one of an annular series of apertures or perforations in a lange or projection on the upper tube, shown more clearly in Fig. 7, where the full lines show the upper tube with its cuspidor in such relative position to the lower tube, as in Fig. 5, while the dotted lines indicate the cuspidor turned at an angle with the center of tubes lc as an axis.

In Fi s. 5 and 6 the upper section of the standar( b is shown adjusted or tilted over to approximately horizontal position, and the cuspidor tilted up to practically vertical position. New it is obvious that the whole u er section with the cus )idor may not onlyT eraiscd to different heiglits by extending the telescopically-arranged tubes j, but may also be swung around to any desired position, turning on the axes of said tubes while it may also be adjusted or tilted to different angular positions on the lower hinge l. Likewise the cuspidors may be tilted or turned on its hinge l, or together with its said hinge may be turned about the axes of tubes r, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7. The upper seetion of the standard may also be lengthencd, if desired, by extending the tubes though this is usually unnecessary, because the cX- tcnsiou afforded by the lower tubos is generally sufficient. Thus the cuspidor is capable of practically universal adjustment, and may be moved by its flexible supporting and fluidconducting standard, so as to be brought into any position convenient for the patient, who if confined toA a bed may make use of the cuspidor either as a spittoon or as a urinal, by virtue of the facility afforded for bringing the upper section or supportingarin of the standard over the bed and for movingI the cuspidor itself both laterally and back and forth with respect to said section. As before stated, any pronounced angular adjustment either of the upper section of the conduit-standard or of the cuspidor will trap the discharges below, while the fresh discharges of the patient may be drained off immediately by straightening out the tubing to open the valves in the joints.

l claim as my invention and desire to secure by l letters Patent of the United States- 1. An adjustable sick-bed euspidor comprising a base, a reservoir for discharges, and a flexible tubular supporting-standard rising from the base and carrying a mouthpiece or spittoon from which the patients discharges are conducted through said tubular standard to said reservoir, said standard allowing a universal adjustment of said spittoon.

2. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidor having, in combination, an extensible post or standard, a tilting and swinging arm carried thereby, and a tilting spittoon or euspidor carried by said. arm also susceptible of being turned about the same, and a conduit for discharges leading from the spittoon through said arm and post.

3. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidor having, in combination, a tubular post or standard, a tilting tubulararm carried thereby and constituting a continuation of the conduit in said inst, and a tilting spi ttoon or cuspidor carried y said arm, and having a bottom discharge opening into said arm, and provision for receiving discharges from the conduit in said arm and post.

4. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidor comrising, in combination, a base, a reservoir ihr discharges, a hollow extensible post or standard rising from said base, a hollow tilting and swinging arm. carried by said post and communieating therewith at its joint, and a laterally and longitudinally tilting spittoon or euspidor carried by said arm also communicating therewith at its joint, said post and arm affording a conduit for discharges from said spittoon to said reservoir.

5. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidorhaving, in combination, a hollow or tubular supporting-standard carrying a mouthpiece or spittoon and having an internuuliate hinge-joint, said standard affording a conduit for conducting ofl discharges from the spittoon.

6. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidor comirising, in combination, a base-receptacle, a liollow extensible post arising therefrom consisting of a plurality of telescopically-ar- IIO ranged tubes, a tilting tubular arm having a hinge-j oint to the uppermost one of said tubes, which joint affords a continuing conduit therethrough, and a tube in said arm carrying a tilting cuspidor or spittoon having a similar joint with said tube.

7. An adjustable sick-bed. cuspidor comprising a base having a reservoir for discharges and an extensible and flexible tubular combined supporting standard and conduit rising therefrom carrying a spittoon or cuspidor from which the discharges are conducted through said conduit to said reservoir.

8. A cuspidor for sick-beds and the like having a tubular combined supporting standard and arm including a hin ed or pivoted tilting section the joint of whic i affords a conduit therethrough when the tilting section is upright but cuts off communication and serves as a trap when said section is tilted at a substantial angle.

9. A cuspidor carried by a tubular conduit having an interposed hinge-joint to permit tilting or adjustment, said joint comprising a cylindrical casing transversely affixed to the end of one pipe-section, and a similarly-dis posed cylinder having the contiguous end of the other pipe-section inserted therethrough, the latter cylinder being closely fitted in the former but susceptible of being turned there* iii, and the outer cylinder having a circum ferential cross-slot toaceommodatethe tube affixed to the inner cylinder and permit angular movement thereof.

10. A cus idor carried by and in communication wit 1 a tubular sup orting-conduit having an interposed hinge-joint to permit tilting or adjustment, said joint com rising a cylindrical casing transversely aflixe to the end of one pipe-section, and a siinilarly-disposed cylinder connected to the contiguous end of the other pipe-section and rotatably fitted in said casing and affording communication between the said pi e-sections.

11. A cuspidor carried )y a tubular conduit having an intermediate hinge-joint comprising interlitted cylinders transversely affixed to contiguous ends of the pipe-sections, one of said cylinders having a catch adapted to engage a series of holes in thc other cylinder for positively holding the conduit in different adjusted positions.

12. An adjustable sick-bed cuspidor comrising, in combination, a base-receptacle, a ollow extensible post arising therefrom consisting of a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes, a tilting tubular arm having a hingejoint to the u permost one of said tubes, said joint com rising interitted cylinders transversely a ved to contiguous ends of adjacent pipe-sections, and a tube telescopically fitted 1n said arm carryin a tilting cuspidor or spittoon having a simi ar joint with said tube.

13. A cuspidor carried by a tubular conduit having an interposed hinge-joint to permit tilting or adjustment, said joint complising interlitted cylinders transversely afed to contiguous ends of the pipe-sections, the outer cylinder having a circumferential cross-slot to accommodate the, tube affixed to the inner cylinder and permit angular movement thereof, and the said inner cylinder having the end of its pipe-section inserted therethrough and shaped to it against the interior walls of the outer cylinder.

14. A cuspidor comprising, in combination, a base adapted to act as a reservoir for the discharges, a hollow standard rising from said base, a spittoon-bowl carried by said standard, said standard adapted to act as a conduit for the discharges from said bowl to the base, a joint in said standard, whereby the bowl is movable to different positions, and means in the joint for automatically cutting off communication between the bowl and the base, when the bowl is moved to certain positions.

15. A cuspidor comprising, in combination, a base and a reservoir for the discharges, a hollow standard rising from said base, a spittoon-bowl carried by said standard, said standard adapted to act as a conduit for the discharges from said bowl to the reservoir, a combined joint and valve in said standard, and means whereby the communication between the bowl and reservoir is automatically cut off at said joint when the bowl is moved to a position for use, and automatically ojened for discharging the contents of the owl, when the same is moved to another definite position.

16. A cuspidor comprising, in combination, a base and a reservoir for the discharges, a hollow standard rising from said base, a spittoon-bowl carried by said standard, said standard adapted to act as a conduit for the discharges from said bowl to the reservoir, a combined joint and valve in said standard, comprising interiitting cylinders transverselyT mounted on contiguous ends of the standardsections, the outer cylinder having a circumferential cross-slot to accommodate the tube affixed to the inner cylinder and permit angular movement thereof, and the saidl inner cylinder having the end of its pipe-section inserted therethrough and shaped to fit against the interior walls of the outer cylinder.

17. A cuspidor comprising, in combination, a base and a reservoir for the discharges, a hollow standard rising` from said base, a spittoon-bowl carried by said standard, said standard adapted to act as a conduit for the discharges from said bowl to the reservoir, two elbow-joints in said standard having a material portion of the hollow standard etween the same, and means in each joint for IOE IIC

automatically cutting 0H and opening com- 1 mayet all times be out off from direct communication through the standard thereat, mumcation therewith. 1o according as the spittoon-bowl and the inter- In testimony whereof I affix my signature vening portion of the standard are moved to in presence of two witnesses.

certain positions, whereby the said nterven- WILLARD BYRON CAMPBELL.

ing portion ofthe standard becomes a tempolvitnesses:

rary receptacle for discharges on their Way B. I. CREW,

from the bowl to the reservoir, and the bowl E. C. MORRISSEY 

